"A joint venture between Home Vision Cinema and Janus Films. Based on the novel by James Vance Marshall. Originally released as a motion picture in 1971. Includes the theatrical trailers, audio commentary by Nicholas Roeg and Jenny Agutter, and an essay by Roger Ebert. Jenny Agutter, Lucien John [i.e, Luc Roeg], David Gumpilil [i.e. Gulpilil], John Meillon. Stranded in the Australian desert, an English girl and her small brother are rescued by an aborigine boy who has journeyed into the outback on his "walkabout"--A tribal initiation into manhood.

Reviews and Notes

Music and Video Summary -> The contrast between modern, urban civilization and life in the natural world lies at the heart of Nicolas Roeg's visually dazzling drama Walkabout. In broad outline, the plot might resemble a standard fish-out-of-water tale: two city children become stranded in the Australian outback, and struggle to find their way back to civilization with the help of a friendly aborigine boy. But Roeg and screenwriter Edward Bond are concerned with far more than the average wilderness drama, as a shocking act of violence near the story's beginning makes clear. This is particularly true in regards to the relationship between the white children and the aborigine boy, who ultimately develops a troubled romantic attraction towards the older sister. Obviously intended as a statement on the exploitation of the natural world and native cultures by European civilization, the film nevertheless maintains an evocative vagueness that usually -- but not always -- favors poetry over didacticism. Most importantly, the film's justifiably acclaimed cinematography is likely to sway even those who find fault with the film's narrative and message. The shift between the sterile city images and the truly stunning, beautifully composed Australian landscapes provide the film's single best argument, making the film a vivid and convincing experience. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi